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Career Day with students from the Manchester Communications Academy -14th July 2020

In collaboration with the Rotary Club of Manchester, WSP UK Ltd, a civil and rail engineering consultancy, organised a day placement / career day for students of Manchester Communications Academy at their offices in Castlefield, Manchester. The students had a chance to find out what engineering actually is( and what it is not) , try to be an engineer (through the bridge building workshop) and learn how to become one, if that's something that they would be interested in. While the emphasis of the event was on engineering, it was not only about engineering but life in general and how to make the best decision you can today, for today (as Robin Graham -President of Rotary Club of Manchester, said at the day during his very inspirational speech). The students left the event with smiles on their faces (especially those winning the bridge building competition) , which just means we need more of the same.

For more photographs from the day ,please see :-

https://www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/page.php?PgID=883613&ClubID=299

 

Goran Begonja

Member – Rotary Club of Manchester

Rotary International statement on Ukraine conflict

It is a tragic and sad time for the people of Ukraine and the world.

At Rotary, we are deeply concerned by the deteriorating situation in Ukraine and the escalating loss of life and humanitarian hardship there. Continued military action against Ukraine will not only devastate the region, but also risk spreading tragic consequences across Europe and the world.

As one of the world’s largest humanitarian organisations, we have made peace the cornerstone of our global mission. We join the international community in calling for an immediate cease fire, withdrawal of Russian forces, and a restoration of diplomatic efforts to resolve this conflict through dialogue.

In the past decade, Rotary clubs in Ukraine, Russia and nearby countries have transcended national differences and have actively engaged in peace-building projects to promote goodwill and to marshal assistance for the victims of war and violence. Today, our thoughts are with our fellow Rotary members and others in Ukraine coping with these tragic events. Rotary International will do everything in its power to bring aid, support and peace to the region.

Rotary International

25-Feb-2022

Wood Street Mission Christmas Toy and Book Appeal 2021

A fantastic response from members to our appeal for children of families on the books of Wood Street Mission to receive Christmas presents that may otherwise have done without ! Photos of some of the toys and books we took to Wood Street for families to choose presents for their children !

SponsoredCharity Bike Ride . Lands End to John O'Groats

Dear All

Our son Michael is doing a sponsored bike ride from Lands End to John O’ Groats

Sunday 30th May 2021 and hopefully finishing on 12th June 2021 . All charity donations are being made in memory of Marian and channelled through the Rotary Club of Manchester. 75 % will go to The Christie Hospital for cancer research and 25% to other Rotary charities.

We have set up a just giving page with the link below, or you can send a cheque direct to myself. To use this link press control on your computer and then at the same time click on the link. You will then be taken to the page to donate to Michael’s Bike Ride. Thank you very much in advance for any donation.

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/mike-metcalfe

Best wishes, and keep safe

Ernie Metcalfe

 

 

August 2020 Rosemary and Sinclair McLeod move to Scotland

On the 19th August and after 34 years of living in Bowdon, Trafford , Rosemary and Sinclair McLeod moved north of the Border to live in Kirkaldy, Scotland. Rosemary had been an active member and Past President of the Inner Wheel club of Manchester (The first Inner Wheel Club in the world) .

Sinclair has been a Rotarian at the Rotary Club of Manchester all those years and, in fact, continues to be a member of our Club and regularly joins us by zoom . He has served the Club well and was President in 1995/6 followed by a period as both secretary and later Trteasurer

A few members of the clubs helped them prepare for the big move and a few photographs were taken on that last day. We wish them well on this new chapter of their lives in Nicola-land........

They would welcome vistors to call on them if travelling to Fife - members have their new address

Peter Hartley 7th September 20

 

 

 

A NEW PRESIDENT FOR 2020 / 21

President Sarah handed over the President's Collar last week to new President Derek in his back garden in Poynton. President Derek presented IPP Sarah with her Past Presidents badge It is going to be a most unusual start to the Rotary Year as ,due to COVID-19 restrictions , our meetings will have to be via Zoom. It is a way for members to still keep in contact both visually and by spoken word. It's brilliant to be able to use this new technology .

IPP Sarah will give her Valedictory speech on Thursday 2nd July followed by the official handover to President Derek. We all wish Derek a good year following an excellent year from IPP Sarah ! The photographs record the event

DUE TO THE CORONA VIRUS ALL ACTUAL MEETINGS CURRENTLY ARE CANCELLED

 

PAST PRESIDENT ERNEST JOHNSTONE FUNERAL ORDERof SERVICE

Ernie_Johnstone_order_of_service.pdf

 

WOW Water Project update 8th November 2018

 

Past President Robin Graham gave members an update on this important project that the club has been involved with for quite some time. Robin gave an most interesting presentation supported by some videos taken whilst visiting the village of Ho in Ghana . He had meetings not only with the villagers but with Members of the Rotary Club of Ho and Water Board officials in order to try and overcome all the many problems that this project has encountered. Vote of thanks was ably given by Club Chair of Foundation , Bill Laidlaw and the meeting chaired by 1st VP Sarah Withington , who is seen in the photo with Robin.

 

 

 

The Rocket Returns

This week the Iconic steam engine is back in Manchester for the first time in over 180 years ! It is at the Museum of Science and Industry in Liverpool Road, which is also the site of the world's second intercity railway station.

Rocket's triumph here on the world's first intercity railway laid the foundations of train travel as we know it. Built by Robert Stephenson , it ran on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway engineered by his father George Stephenson. Rocket's design formed the basis for all future steam locomotives.

27th September 2018

20th September 2018

The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor June Hitchen , was our guest today . She gave a splendid talk on her upbringing and family life in Newton Heath ,the area where she has now represented as a Councillor for the last 16 years. Personal stories that have made her family proud of her and she to be proud to be Lord Mayor of such a wonderful and varied City.

13th September 2018

Ross Miller,Director of Fundraising and Communication, gave us a most interesting and informative presentation of the "Missing Person" Charity. A Charity that he has worked for the last 15 years and is very passionate in helping persons and families live with or overcome the effects of a missing family member or friend . There are 190,000 person missing each year and they offer a lifeline . Missing People is the only charity in the UK which is dedicated to bringing missing children and adults back together with their families.

Some missing people you will have heard of , but many more you won't. For their families , life can feel like a desperate and unbearable struggle as they wait for days or even years. https://www.missingpeople.org.uk/

 

9th August 2018

PP Robin Graham gave a talk entitled "Does Laughter pass the 4 way test? " Checking it out after the meeting is President Siddika Ahmed with PP Robin !!

PEACE & UNITY 2018 : Our Manchester-Our Communites

On Sunday 29 July 2018, the third annual 'Peace and Unity event took place at Manchester Reform Synagogue. The event was a free multi-faith/ community event which aimed to bring people together to celebrate our cultural diversity. The programme included guest speakers, musical performances, comedy, song, dance, activities for children, yoga and meditation.PP Robin Graham arranged for the Rotary Club of Manchester to be represented at this event

The Very Reverand Roger Govinder (Dean of Manchester Cathedral) with President Siddika

26th July 2018

International Students visit Manchester

On the 26th July, fourteen International students , hosted by Rotary at the Summer Camp at The Pettypool Trust , Sandiway , made a visit to Manchester .During the morning they enjoyed football training . Then 1st VP Sarah Withington arranged for them to meet the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor June Hitchen at her temporary offices (whilst the Town Hall is closed for refurbishment) within Central Library . The students enjoyed their visit and the Lord Mayor made it extra special as she wore the ceremonial robes ! She even allowed one of the students from Mexico to try the robes on for size ! Minus the very expensive mayoral chain of office !!

15th July 2018

Major John Abbott TD DL RIP

It is with sadness that I have to report that , unfortunately, last night at 23:30h John passed away in the nursing home in Knutsford that he has been resident for the last few months.

He had been a Rotarian for 41 years and was one of the longest serving members of the Rotary Club of Manchester .John had been President of the Rotary Club of Manchester on two occasions .He had also been the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester in 2000.A true gentleman, who will be sorely missed . A family funeral has taken place -however a Service of Thanksgiving for his life will take place on the 31st August at St Mary's,Nether Alderley at 2pm.

12th July 2018

1st VP Sarah Withington gave members her "My Job" talk which was a most interesting look at the drugs and medicines that her company , Alliance Healthcare, sell to pharmacies up and down the country. A detailed explanation of original and generic drugs and how and why the pharmacies select which ones to purchase !

The photo shows (left to right) 1st VP Sarah , President Siddika and guest visitor Berfu Ulusoy from Turkey . Befu has family in Rotary and is currently living in Manchester doing her internship at the University of Manchester Child Study Centre

11th July 2018

First official engagement for President Siddika Ahmed was at Inner Wheel welcoming their new President - Pat Reynolds by presenting flowers from the . Special thanks to outgoing Secretary Joan Johnston for making the arrangements.ofManchesterRotary Club ofManchester

28th June 2018

THE LADIES ARE IN CHARGE !!!

At our recent President's Evening ,Retiring President Julie Chapman welcomed incoming President 2018-19 Siddika Ahmed. President Julie had inducted two new members into our Club - Dale McAulay and Andrea Codolini. The photograph shows the following ladies.

From left to right :- 1st VP Sarah Withington, Rotaract President Guillia Mazzei, President Siddika Ahmed, Past President Julie Chapman, President Jackie Berry (RC of Manchester Breakfast)

More photographs from the evening can be found in the Gallery

Photo below shows the two new members. From left to right:- President Siddika Ahmed, Rtn Andrea Codolini, Rtn Dale McAulay , Immediate Past President Julie Chapman

 

29th June 2018

 

 

 
 
Our Club have started to work with this school and on Friday 28th June 18 they had their school fair. 1st VP Sarah Withington arranged for members to visit . The weather could not have been better and it was brilliant to see all enjoying themselves. We watched the Irish dancing and choir perform and there were numerous stalls around the grounds . Thanks to Ruth (Head of PE) for showing us around this school that has 700 pupils ! Shame that more members could not join us
 
There are more photos in the photo gallery
 
The next visit will be to deliver the Crocus that have been ordered to educate the children about Polio Eradication and Rotary's involvement
 
 
 

 

 

 

MASQUERADE BALL

 

Tuesday 17th October 2017

 

 

 

 

The Rotary Club of Manchester and Rotaract Manchester International enjoyed the magic of a Venetian Masquerade Ball on Tuesday 17th October 2017. The funds raised will contribute to the WOW water project.

 

We believe it is not right that children get their drinking water from a pond that cows use as a toilet. But this was the case in the community of Fievie in Ghana. The Chief in the community said," People are now just waiting for God to take them and move them on"

 

Fievie is one of many communities in South Tongu district where abouy 40% of people don't have access to a permanent source of clean drinking water. In the tainy season, people can collect drinking water from their roof. But for the rest of the time , the local authority hasn't enough money yo connect these communities to the water mains. Water from the nearby river is too polluted; and because the area is close to the sea, a borehole brings up salty water.

 

The situation in +Fievie has improved. People don't have water in their homes, but there is a connection to the mains supply that works for much of the time, and six stand pipes where people can get access.

 

The money raised from the project will go towards installing large polytanks to store water for when it is not flowing through the mains,and to start to connect outlying villages to the mains

 

The total raised so far is £10,000 , with a target of £15,000 .

 

 

If you would like to help us towards meeting this target please write to the Rotary Club of Manchester at The Manchester Hall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Know Your Blood Pressure / Stroke Awareness Promotion

 

 

Each year, in April, the Stroke Association, the Rotary Club of Manchester, St John Ambulance and the University of Manchester School of Nursing and Midwifery and the MLP, join together to hold a Know Your Blood Pressure and Stroke Awareness promotion in Manchesters Arndale Centre, we hope by offering free blood pressure checks and health advice to members of the passing public, to raise awareness of Stroke and its effects; Stroke can happen to anybody, at any time, although lifestyle and age may contribute to the likelihood of stroke, children and young people may also suffer.

 

 

Each year an estimated 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke

 

 

Stroke is the third most common cause of death in the UK, and the leading cause of disability.

 

 

The whole event is run by volunteers, and the MLP volunteers, both medical and non medical students, make a significant contribution to the success of the promotion, medical / nursing students to take blood pressures, and non medical students engaging with members of the passing public, encouraging them to have a free blood pressure check, followed by health information and how to recognise the signs of stroke. A full pre-event induction is given, and the whole event is supported by comprehensive Public Liability Insurance. On average we test around 525 people, of these some 15/20% will register abnormal readings, and will be signposted to an on-site doctor, and usually advised to see their own GP within one month, however, around 5% of the total tested, register severely abnormal readings, the advice then is to seek medical help within one week, in recent events however, two gentlemen (one under the age of 30) were found to be so much in danger of cardio-vascular attack, that immediate hospital admission was advised.

 

As you can see this promotion is a significant contribution to Public Health, and the MLP volunteers from previous events have always given positive feedback about their experience.

 

 

If you want to help inApril 2019 , please send an email using the contact us on the home page and we will get back to you

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